A worker in a York supermarket says he wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for the life-saving skills of his colleague.
Robert Foster had a heart attack during his cleaning shift at Asda in Monks Cross.
Thankfully his team leader Paul Craven was nearby.
He performed chest compressions and used the store’s defibrillator on Robert after he collapsed in the canteen and fell backwards off his chair, hitting his head on the floor.
Robert, 48, has recovered well and is making a phased return to work after having a pacemaker fitted.
He said: “I can’t thank Paul enough, he saved my life. There were no warning signs of a heart attack at all.
“All I remember was I was sitting in the canteen and reading a holiday brochure and the next thing I was waking up in Leeds General Infirmary.
“I’ve no memory of what happened, but I’m grateful to everyone who helped. It’s nice to be back to the routine and to see everyone. I feel OK now, I’m just taking things a bit slowly.”
Paul, who’s 39 and has worked at the store for 20 years, said: “I went looking for Robert as I had a job I wanted him to do after his break, and when I got to the customer service desk one of our colleagues, Joseph Skeels, came running towards me saying a colleague had collapsed and needed help.
“I ran upstairs and saw it was Robert. I checked his pulse and there was nothing there.
“I didn’t have time to think, the adrenaline just kicked in – it was a life or death moment. In situations like this every second counts. I just went into first aid mode.
“It was only later when I got home and thought about it that it hit me. The last time I had to do CPR was on my dad, Graham, who sadly passed away four years ago when he was 72.
“This all brought it back to me and when I saw Robert lying there I just had to help.
“We were all so relieved when Robert pulled through as it was touch and go for a while. It’s so good to see him back.”
Home shopping colleague Katelyne Lawrence had already phoned for an ambulance and relayed instructions and information to Paul from the 999 call handler while he administered first aid.
Another colleague, Sarah Dalby, also went for help, while GM team leader Pamela Dods was on hand to comfort and support colleagues.
Although an air ambulance came and landed in the store’s car park, Robert was taken by road ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary.
Store manager Mick Kemp said: “It”s such a pleasure to have Robert back with us – he’s very well thought of in the store. We were really worried about him and every single day I had people coming up to me asking how he was.
“While he was recovering I spoke to his mum regularly and we gave her some gifts for her to take to Robert in hospital – including a photo of everyone in the shop so he had something to smile about while he was laid up.
“I’m so proud of the team here for what they did on the day, especially Paul – he is literally a lifesaver.”
